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OC professor named president of Ohio Valley University

Dr. Harold Shank will be the next president of Ohio Valley
University in Vienna, West Virginia, according to an announcement this
week by Dr. Gail Hopkins, Chairman of the OVU Board of Trustees.
Shank and his wife Sally come to OVU after five years at Oklahoma
Christian University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he is Professor
of Old Testament. He is a noted author and minister with 32 years of
service to the Highland Street Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee.
Since 1996 Shank has been the national spokesperson for the Christian
Child and Family Services Association, and he is the Reviews Editor for
the Christian Chronicle, a monthly newspaper serving Churches of Christ.
"I’m drawn to the vision of Ohio Valley University,” Shank reflected.
"It’s a dream that includes a solid relationship between the Churches
of Christ and a Christian university with a mission to spread the Gospel
in the most populous area of our nation.”
"I consider this new role a tremendous opportunity,” Shank
continued. "It’s no secret that Ohio Valley University produces
graduates of intelligence, integrity and industry. Businesses and other
institutions throughout the Ohio Valley know the importance of highly
trained personnel. I am delighted to become part of a school with such
good intent and a stellar reputation.”
While the OC community is sad to lose Dr. Shank, they are honored he
was chosen for this position.
"The loss of Dr. and Mrs. Shank to the OC family is a great one, as
they are among the finest scholars, servants and godly examples in this
community,” said OC President Mike O’Neal. "Yet, we rejoice with them in
this new opportunity to serve the kingdom in another role.
"We can be extremely proud of these OC alumni and colleagues who
continue to have such a profound impact on our fellowship and on the
world around them. We know the future of OVU is bright under their
leadership.”
OVU is excited about Dr. Shank’s acceptance.
"Dr. Shank brings a national reputation to the OVU presidency,” Dr.
E. Keith Stotts, current president of OVU, observed. "He is well-known
as an author, educator and advocate for children and young people.”
"Ohio Valley University seeks to serve its community,” Dr. Hopkins
related. "In looking for a leader for the next decade, we chose Dr.
Harold Shank to help us excel in doing our part to make this a caring
community.”
The announcement comes following a nationwide search lasting nearly
two years. Stotts, the university’s fifth president, and first
chancellor, returned to the presidency as the search continued.
"It is very difficult for me to find the right words to adequately
express what it has meant to all of us associated with the university to
have Keith Stotts at the helm these last two years,” Hopkins noted.
"Keith and his administration have provided a solid foundation for what I
know will be a bright future under President Shank.”
Stotts will resume his role as chancellor following President Shank’s
arrival.
The OVU Board of Trustees announced in January that it had narrowed
the search to two candidates, Shank and Dr. Michael Moss, Dean of the
OVU College of Biblical Studies and Behavioral Sciences. Moss came to
the university in 2006 after 23 years on the faculty of Lipscomb
University in Nashville, Tennessee.
"For our board this was truly a decision among good choices,” Hopkins
added. "Dr. Moss is an excellent candidate. We are very grateful that
he remains committed to OVU and to the new administration.”
Shank is a 1972 graduate of Oklahoma Christian with a B.A. in Bible.
He received his M.A. and M.A.R. degrees from Harding University Graduate
School of Religion. His Ph.D. in Theology is from Marquette University.